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My child works full time, is currently 17 years old, and I've been paying support for him his whole life. His mother and I separated when he was 2. We have a great relationship and will continue to but as he gets older he looks just like my former best friend. I will continue to be apart of... View More 
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answered on Dec 27, 2020
The only legitimate reason to do at DNA test now at this incredibly late date would be simply to know the truth. If the child is 17 and you plan to be a part of the child's life regardless of the result, then logically speaking, doing a DNA test now is likely a bad idea and just a waste of... View More
Income decreased due to covid. Still paying monthly but struggling to pay the full amount. Need my income legally re evaluated. But she won’t let me see my child.
answered on Dec 1, 2020
No, visitation and the payment of child support are completely independent of one another. Failure to pay support is not a valid reason to withhold visitation. If visitation is being denied, you may have to file a motion for contempt for her violation of the custody order.
My hours have been reduced due to covid and I am struggling to pay the full amount of child support. I’ve communicated this and have been paying what I can monthly as well as continuing to pay medical insurance for him.
Technically, I am behind in the monthly amount, and need to have my... View More
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answered on Dec 1, 2020
Non-payment of child support is not grounds to withhold visitation. However, if she is seeking a protective order and has legitimate grounds to do so then that would potentially be grounds to withhold visitation but she would have to have a legitimate and reasonable fear for the safety of herself... View More
I’m a step father of two wonderful boys , I don’t get into my wife child support issues , she’s had a few but Ive always stayed out of it . I do know she get 1k a month in support and he pays for the children health insurance here in NC. He claims one and she claims the other and both live... View More
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answered on Nov 30, 2020
You as a step-father essentially have no standing or say regarding whether to go to court. All you can really do is express your opinion to your spouse about what decision she should make. That said, the amount of child support owed is calculated on simple child support guidelines based on your... View More
I also have a child from a previous marriage that I care for and we have a new baby together. (3 kids total) He has been consistently paying $600 a month for 5 years. His ex wife now wants to increase the amount because he is remarried to me and wants my income taken into consideration to increase... View More
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answered on Nov 11, 2020
What the ex wants and what she will get are two different things. Your income does not factor into the calculations for his child support and your income is not a basis for modification (if everything else has remained the same). However, your new baby together may possible lower his obligation... View More
Examples being custody arrangements for kids, money given towards supporting the children.
*Both parties agreed upon support amount, and child arrangements, we just agreed we want something in writing just to protect myself/spouses self*
answered on Nov 6, 2020
They hold little (or no) weight when it comes to child custody as the court needs to independently determine what custodial schedule is in the child's best interests. However, to the extent that the parties ended up FOLLOWING the agreed upon schedule, the court can use this information and... View More
And has broken agreements multiple times
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answered on Nov 3, 2020
If she is breaking agreements then you likely need a court order. Violate a court order and the punishment aspect can be a lot more severe. As to child support, that is a simple guideline formula based on incomes and it is difficult to deviate from what the guidelines say. Your best bet is to... View More
answered on Nov 3, 2020
I'm a little hesitant to answer this question as I'm not certain what you mean you say "calendar court," and because each county does things a little differently. That said, what I think you are referring to is simply the date where the parties come before the court and pick... View More
Ex is behind $14,000 per our divorce decree and never took any of his visitation.
answered on Oct 28, 2020
I'm not sure I quite understand the question, but will point out that child support and the rights of the non-custodial parent to see the child aren't connected. They are handled on completely different paths.
To the extent he isn't paying, any efforts on your part to have... View More
I’m trying to determine if Worksheet A or B should be used to determine the amount of child support I pay. Based solely on the weekly custody schedule in my consent order, my sons spend 120 overnights with me/year. But if you factor in holidays and vacation time also defined in the consent order,... View More
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answered on Sep 27, 2020
A properly drafted consent order should have already properly calculated child support. However, what worksheet you use is based on what type of custody you have. Since we do not know that, we can not answer your question. You should likely consult with a local family law attorney if you want to... View More
A paralegal that she has the upper hand and that everyone in the courthouse is in her back pocket.
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answered on Sep 25, 2020
Most people who think of themselves as 'paralegals are really nothing more than administrative assistants at best and secretaries / receptionists at worst. However, bonafied paralegal or not, she likely does have some upper hand due to her potential connections but it is highly unlikely... View More
I was pregnant and isolated by my son's father in a town where him and I didn't know anyone except one person. That person was not there to help us take care of our new baby. So, I experienced severe stress and exhaustion due to lack of sleep and barely any help from my son's father... View More
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answered on Sep 20, 2020
Since you indicate you now have an attorney - you need to follow the advice of your attorney. However, the answer to the question you asked is if the father will not agree to giving you sole custody you will have to take it by filing and winning a custody action in the appropriate court. For... View More
I had a question about jurisdiction that I was hoping you could help me with. Long story short - my son's father filed for custody in one county. I live in another county. Technically, our son has lived in both.t He voluntarily agreed to pay child support to me, and that order lasted a few... View More
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answered on Sep 13, 2020
Asking the question in a different way isn't going to yield different results. Without seeing the paperwork, our best guess is going to be - who knows. You say the child support was voluntary but then mention Orders and Motions -which indicates you likely are not using the correct... View More
I am in a custidy battle. I have 2 children, each have a different father. With my youngest son, I tested positive for drugs when I gave birth and a CPS case was automatically opened. Everything was fine with the baby at birth and at home, the home visits went well, I wasn't found to be... View More
answered on Sep 14, 2020
The case can be raised, but I'm not sure how significant it would be if it was closed as you indicate.
I had a question about jurisdiction that I was hoping you could help me with. Long story short - my son's father filed for custody in one county. I live in another county. Technically, our son has lived in both. However, at one point he was voluntarily agreed to pay child support to me, and... View More
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answered on Sep 13, 2020
Typically jurisdiction is where the child has primarily resided for the last six months. If you had court ordered child support, the order likely would have stated where jurisdiction is and that would likely still be proper assuming the child did not primarily reside anywhere else for more than... View More
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answered on Aug 23, 2020
Doing your own legal work when you are not an attorney is the functional equivalent of attempting to rebuild your car's transmission if you are not a mechanic. So your best bet would be to hire an attorney. Essentially, you file, calendar and serve a Motion to Change Venue then appear at the... View More
Her father and i have never had any kind of custody order drawn up. What steps do I need to take?
answered on Aug 13, 2020
The best step would be to consult with a local family law attorney as they would be able to give you the best advice. That said, it appears like you need to file a child custody action in your county and either come to an agreement on custody or have it heard before a judge. I don't practice... View More
My ex told me after we broke up that she was pregnant and that her unborn child was mine and that there was absolutely no one else who could be the child's father. I took her at her word and when the child was born, I signed the birth certificate. We never got back together but I would see the... View More
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answered on Aug 5, 2020
The short answer is - yes. If you don't want to be on the hook for child support, you will need to take steps to have paternity determined and to have child support stopped if it has been court ordered. Your best bet is likely to consult with a local family law attorney who can review you... View More
answered on May 5, 2020
No. You should direct the question to a lawyer that practices family law.
We have a contested separation agreement which defines us as sharing 50% custody. Her older sister who is 16 has also been with my ex-wife since we separated. My ex has pretty lax rules compared to me. I had to get these two and a friend released from Cary Police custody because they were... View More
answered on May 5, 2020
You'll need to file a lawsuit for custody, if you want to enforce your agreement and/or get more time with them.
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